Chapter 5 - Blue and Pink 1 page

Part 1

"......I'm going to go back to the Onmyou Agency."

When Suzuka said that, everyone present was taken aback and reacted strongly.

"Hold on, Suzuka. Yashamaru - your father - is around the Chief, right? You'll caught easily."

"What Touji says is right." Tenma also calmly stated his opinion as Touji hastily stopped her.

"I understand that it's difficult for you to stay at the Onmyou Academy in your position. But even so, returning to the Onmyou Agency is too reckless.

Just like Amami said, Suzuka and Kyouko were just like the principal in that it would be very difficult for them to continue a similar life as they had lived until now, even just on the surface. Though she was a student, Suzuka had originally been a special student. She was already a professional - and also a National First-Class Onmyouji who possessed 'First-Class Onmyou' qualifications. She had only come to the Onmyou Academy up to now as punishment for attempting to hold the Taizan Fukun Ritual. In other words, Suzuka's 'ordinary life' for several months stemmed from the will of the Onmyou Agency higher-ups - Chief Kurahashi.

However, Suzuka had opposed the Onmyou Agency tonight. The situation had also greatly changed now. She would likely be unable to attend the academy as punishment like before.

Most importantly, Chief Kurahashi had Yashamaru by his side.

Yashamaru - Dairenji Shidou - was the man who had used his own daughter Suzuka's body as an experiment with forbidden magic in his previous life. A man who was both cruel and elegantly heartless, and one who had both cunning knowledge and strength. In the bottom of her heart, Suzuka feared him more than she detested him.

Also, the Onmyou Academy was a place that Yashamaru could reach. Even though he had ignored it until now, it was unsure what would happen in the future.

"You can come with us if it's hard to stay inside the academy. It would be even more reassuring for us if we had a Divine General when we hide underground later on."

Amami couldn't use magic, and he couldn't even move on his own. He was in a circumstance where reliable people would allow him more aid. There was even less room to be selective if she was a Divine General.

"First off, what are you going to do if you go back? Let me first say that you have no chance of winning."

Touji harshly asserted. Actually, things were as he said. Suzuka knew that as well.

The Onmyou Agency could be called the main base of the 'enemy'. Even if Suzuka sneaked in alone, there wasn't a single percentage point of victory. She would easily turn into a prisoner.

However.

"......Headband. You're not hiding underground to run away here and there. Didn't you say you were going to train yourself?"

After Suzuka said that, she turned her head. "Kyouko too."

"You're staying in the Onmyou Academy to start your special divination training. Um...... I can't express it well. But the two of you aren't fleeing or escaping, you're acting to become strong. I think that's right. After all, if we keep doing what we've been doing...... we won't be any good. We won't be able to do anything."

Suzuka spoke as if for her own self to hear. But her words also spoke for the feelings of all of her companions.

Tonight, Suzuka and the others had struck back at Kurahashi and Yashamaru. But that was just a miraculous outcome interwoven with various factors including Ohtomo's, Amami's, and Saotome Suzu's assistance. But Suzuka and the others would become scattered from now on and Ohtomo and Amami would become pursued, while Kurahashi and the others' rock-solid position - or even their fighting strength - was almost unchanged. No, perhaps their long period of lying low had ended and they were finally about to act boldly. If there was still a 'next time', then the brutality and difficulty would be incomparable with tonight. These companions anticipated that.

"Hold on, Suzuka. If that's true, then that's even more of a reason for you to go with Amami-san and I. Can't you only train yourself while escaping from their eyes and ears?"

"......Unfortunately, my 'strength' isn't the kind of thing that can be increased by training. You'd understand, right, old man?"

Suzuka crossed her arms, shooting a gaze towards Amami on the sofa. Amami solemnly stared at Suzuka, but the 'Trick Spider' remained silent.

Though Suzuka was the youngest of these people, her spiritual power was stronger than anyone else's now that Amami's magical energy was sealed. But that wasn't her natural power, and it wasn't something she had obtained through training. It was just a result of Dairenji Shidou's experiments. All of the Divine General Suzuka's strength was - ironically - given to her by the enemy, Yashamaru.

Because of that, it was very difficult for Suzuka to further increase that strength by herself. Maybe it wasn't impossible, but she couldn't do it with ordinary means.

"Of course, maybe I can learn ways to use my current strength more effectively. ......But my field of expertise is still 'research'. Therefore, I have to fight 'there'."

Suzuka asserted.

Touji could only shut his mouth due to her words and seeing her expression. "Suzuka-chan......" Though Kyouko murmured, she didn't try to stop her again.

A smile flitted briefly over the corners of Amami's mouth, and he said:

"...Specifically?"

"I'm going to uncover that person's goal."

Suzuka immediately answered Amami's question.

"Didn't you say before? You said that the goal of those people was to 'inherit Yakou's legacy', but you didn't know the contents of that 'legacy'."

"You plan on investigating that?"

"Right. I'll start from inside them after getting into the Onmyou Agency."

Amami's eyes widened in surprise, but Suzuka held herself poised.

"......To be honest, I don't know Kurahashi Genji's true intentions. Maybe he just wants to expand the jurisdiction of the Onmyou Agency. ...But I don't believe that 'his' goal is that kind of thing. 'He' definitely doesn't care no matter what the Onmyou Agency turns into. He wouldn't be interested in that kind of political business. I want to find out what 'he's trying to do right now. If we're never certain of our opponent's goals--"

We won't be able to fight, right?

Suzuka murmured as if speaking to herself.

Amami arched his brows, putting on a pained expression.

"Honestly, it would be an invaluable if you infiltrated the enemy and spied...... But if you go back on your own, won't the opponents naturally surmise your intentions?"

"Then I'll just make some mistake and get caught on purpose."

"Same thing. Those people won't be tricked like that. Let me tell you, the opponents are quite clever, you know? Are you able to negotiate with those people?"

"Hah? It's not whether I can do it or not, I said I was going to do it. I know I'm different from 'him' right now. I'm already determined to expose his goal. The real negotiations start after that."

Though she was slightly angry, her words were firm. Since she said that much, Amami couldn't say anything more. It would be truly be a great help if Suzuka spied from inside the Agency. Most importantly, she was motivated. He couldn't pour cold water on her resolve. Neither Amami nor the principal could assert that their judgments were more correct than the judgments of these children.

However.

"......Is that really alright? I'm going to warn you a third time, Yashamaru's there, you know?"

Touji still spoke with a bitter look.

Among those present, only Touji had seen Suzuka and Yashamaru meeting face-to-face. Touji had witnessed the 'power relationship' between the two of that. Because of this, he seemed to harbor strong misgivings about Suzuka returning to Yashamaru.

At the time, Suzuka had been like a frog stared down by a snake. The psychological factors were greater than the difference in strength between them. After all, he was her father - the father who had controlled her since her birth. That terror was carved into Suzuka's soul. He was someone who could be described as Suzuka's natural enemy.

Of course, Suzuka was also conscious of her own absolute fearfulness.

But--

No, because of that--

"......I can't run forever. If I don't conquer 'him', I won't be able to become strong."

Part 2

In the end, just-toasted bread was the best. Though she was in a bad mood, she had to admit that.

"......Thanks."

After she murmured a word, Takiko, who had brought the bread, beamed with a smile.

Takiko was sitting on the sofa Suzuka had been sleeping until just now. Unfortunately, there was only one sofa, and Suzuka didn't want to sit next to her, so Suzuka had moved over a chair from her desk and was sitting on it.

There were two cups steaming with black tea on the table in front of the two. There was Suzuka's share and Takiko's share. Though she had not a single thought about being hospitable, being excessively unfriendly was also very foolish. Anyways, the effort she spent would be the same, so she had made black tea as repayment for the bread - or rather, as the price.

After all, the girl in front of her was Suzuka's clear 'enemy'.

But Suzuka had long since realized that there were no ulterior motives in the smile that this 'enemy' showed her.

It had been a year and a half since Suzuka came to the Onmyou Agency of her own will. Takiko would often come alone to visit Suzuka, who had almost no contact with the outside. As their meetings became more numerous, Suzuka naturally came to understand what kind of a person she was.

"It's good that you like it; it was my first time going to that store too."

"What the hell, are you using me as a food tester?"

"N-No! It's because you never watch your diet, Suzuka......"

Saying this, Takiko glanced at the garbage can.

It was already filled to the brim with finished bags of convenience store candy. That was Suzuka's primary staple right now. Following Takiko's gaze, Suzuka frowned and crossed her legs on the chair. To be honest, that wasn't her business.

"It doesn't matter. I'm just using my own money to buy things I like."

"Your nutrition won't be balanced that way, you know. Also, it's not just your diet. Judging by how you look, you didn't go back yesterday, right?"

"So what."

"It's not good for you to spend the night in this kind of place, and what are you going to do about bathing?"

"......It won't kill me."

"As I thought. That won't do. Suzuka, you're a girl, so you have to keep yourself clean."

"Aah, I can't stand it, you're so annoying."

Suzuka immediately furrowed her eyebrows and glared angrily at Takiko on the sofa.

"And anyways, if you have that many complaints, can't you just issue an order to your excellent shikigami instead of lecturing? 'It's time to stop monitoring her' or 'give her some more freedom' ...Actually, you're imprisoning me, so what do you care about bathing. I don't feel grateful even if you send me foot because I'm pitiful, you know?"

Anger and stress accumulated in large amounts every day. What's more, Suzuka's venomous tongue was first or second among the Twelve Divine Generals. She spat curses like a river. Her expression and tone were both calculated to make the other party as unhappy as possible, which was in some sense very remarkable.

Even though she had interacted with Suzuka for a year and a half, Takiko still didn't have any tolerance for this hostility.

Her expression instantly paled. "......Sorry." After apologizing in a mosquito-thin voice, she hung her head.

Takiko became completely feeble after her weak points were jabbed. She would deny it if it were a misunderstanding, but Takiko understood that what Suzuka said was the truth. What's more, she seemed to feel embarrassed. In this kind of time, she couldn't settle things or wave them past, and could only bear the accusations.

Suzuka's stress accumulated because of Takiko's downcast appearance. How should she put it? It was the feeling of an owner who couldn't vent her irritation with an overly rambunctious pet. Her intimacy irked her, but losing her would also irritate her. This girl was truly hard to deal with.

Takiko was her hated father's master. She wasn't just the master of the shikigami Yashamaru, her lineage also made her the same as his master.

That was something Suzuka hadn't known either until she had asked Amami directly. Her father Dairenji Shidou had been named 'Souma' Shidou before. In other words, her father was also a descendant of the Souma family that had assisted Yakou in the past.

But the Souma family had been separated into several lines after the Pacific War. Her father was just from a Souma branch family.

The single remaining person of the main Souma family was the Takiko before her.

Takiko herself had given her explanation of the details of this aspect. The 'princess' that Yashamaru called Takiko probably wasn't a simple nickname. The unknown magic family, the Souma. Takiko, of the age-old 'inner' great family, was a true princess.

...Well, otherwise it would be impossible to explain her unworldliness. Honestly.

In any case, her silence was very annoying. Suzuka, having trouble enduring the silence, deliberately sniffed with a 'humph'.

"Ah - I can't stand it, even the air's getting heavy. Can you not barge into other peoples' research labs and then go silent?"

"S-Sorry......"

"Even the tea's getting cold. I'm going to go boil it again. Want any?"

"Huh? O-Okay."

Takiko raised her head, showing an expression of redemption. Truly a girl who couldn't hide anything and whose thoughts were immediately conveyed on her face. Suzuka definitely couldn't lecture her about those points, but the fact that even she was dumbfounded showed how severe it was.

Simply put, Takiko was a 'pure' girl.

Her feelings clearly shone through, and she was frank and candid. She could also be described as brilliantly naive. Clearly put, she was a type Suzuka wasn't good with. She was probably an ideal candidate for a class representative - an elementary school one.

But the meaning of being pure changed depending on one's position.

For example, if Takiko trusted that what Chief Kurahashi and Yashamaru were doing was 'the right thing' and didn't suspect a thing. If that were the cast, then any sacrifice could be permitted as a 'noble sacrifice'. Even if people would be hurt or if she sympathized with them, she wouldn't falter. Also, she would probably take the initiative to put herself forward as a sacrifice if there was a need. That was the kind of purity Takiko possessed.

Also, purity was directly linked with stubbornness and exclusivity. Takiko had quite a bit of those aspects as well. Even fanatics counted as 'pure'.

"......Ah... But it really is annoying......"

"Ah, in that case, let me."

"No need. You're clumsy. ......Ah, right. Are you here, Kumomaru? Why don't you boil it."

Suzuka, who was about to rise from the seat, spoke to the area behind Takiko's back with an irritated attitude.

There was no immediate response. But when Takiko turned her neck slightly and called out "Kumomaru", the aura behind the sofa shuddered and a male figure appeared.

His age looked the same as Takiko's. A young man with a tough yet gentle appearance. Messy hair was tied carelessly behind his head. A military jacket coupled with jeans and high boots. His expression was sharp yet reserved, and in contrast with his active manner of dress, he had a temperament that made him feel like a scholar or monk.

He was Takiko's guardian, Kumomaru. His name in his previous life was Mutobe Chihiro. He was a Yase Doji who had been resurrected after death as Takiko's shikigami, just like Yashamaru - Dairenji Shidou.

"Can I ask that of you?"

"......As you command."

After replying respectfully, Kumomaru walked towards the space supplying hot water.

......It was truly a fantastic scene, if she thought about it again.

Suzuka thought this as she looked at his back.

She had eaten the breakfast that Takiko, who ought to be her enemy, had brought, and had ordered her powerful guardian to boil tea. Depending on how one looked at it, it might be a relaxed scene, but she hadn't imagined it at all before returning to the Onmyou Agency.

In the end, Suzuka had originally been a prisoner. But Takiko was humble like this because she wanted to be Suzuka's friend. Takiko herself had told her this after all, so it wouldn't be wrong. She suspected that she was being toyed with more than she was surprised, but Takiko was extremely serious.

Suzuka hadn't learned of this directly and had only heard of the situation after the fact, but it seemed that Takiko had adopted the same attitude towards Harutora and Natsume when she had gone to participate in the Onmyou Academy studies before. Though the results were unsuccessful and they had ended up with a rift between them, her wish to become close with Natsume and the others hadn't changed up through the very end.

The matter regarding the Raven's Wing was the same.

Takiko had pulled the trigger on the chain of events linked to Harutora's awakening. If she hadn't done extraneous things, Natsume could had not died, and Harutora wouldn't have awakened as Yakou. At least, not on that night. But Takiko herself had taken action completely and utterly 'for the two of them'. Her motivation had been pure goodwill.

...Troublesome goodwill certainly exists, huh.

It wasn't irony, she believed that.

But speaking of the Raven's Wing incident, she felt that resenting Takiko was also meaningless. It wasn't because she had acted out of goodwill - it was because in the end she was just the 'trigger'.

At the time, the situation had been gradually and perfectly drawing together. Even if Takiko hadn't acted first, then it was undoubtedly just a matter of time until the same outcome developed. No, rather, if Takiko hadn't lost control, then Kurahashi and the others' plans would have been realized even more perfectly, and even the slight resistance Suzuka and the others were carrying out right now might not have been permitted. Hence maybe she had created a flaw in the plans of Kurahashi's side.

Moreover...... Suzuka could actually understand Takiko's feelings. She understood.

She had heard that ever since birth, Takiko had been worshiped by the adults around her as the Souma princess. But on the other hand, they excluded all but relatives from Takiko's surroundings. Never mind friends of the same age, Takiko didn't even have anyone she knew well. Takiko was raised as the 'Souma Princess' before she was a 'girl'.

Also, though worship and abuse were completely contrasting environments, she was the same as Suzuka in the sense that they were alone. What's more, you could probably say that she had the same environment as Natsume if you interchanged Souma and Tsuchimikado. Since birth, the three of them had borne the karma of 'magic'.

But Suzuka had a brother, Natsume had Harutora, yet Takiko had nothing. She was truly alone.

By supposing that she hadn't had a brother, Suzuka could also easily imagine how deep and consuming loneliness could be. Hence, although it was hard for her to empathize with Takiko's feelings, she could understand.

She longed for human interaction.

That was it.

The reason Takiko came to Suzuka came from that deep yet simple motivation.

But the 'established' reason for which Takiko came to Suzuka was something else.

"......Thank you for waiting."

Just then, Kumomaru returned with the boiled black tea, cups for two of them in his hands. "Thanks." Takiko thanked him while accepting it. Suzuka was spaced out and didn't extend her hand, so Kumomaru put the cup on the table.

Then, Kumomaru bowed lightly and tried to dematerialize. But, "Wait." Takiko stopped him.

"That's fine, Kumomaru."

"But......"

"It's more fun when there are more people. Suzuka, is that alright? Kumomaru should be alright."

Takiko said this, asking approval from Suzuka. She especially used the wording 'Kumomaru should be alright' because she knew that Suzuka loathed Yashamaru.

Suzuka glanced over, meeting Kumomaru's gaze. "Whatever you want." She replied carelessly. Then, Kumomaru nodded to Takiko to express understanding and circled around to the back of the sofa, naturally sinking into a standby posture.

Actually, Suzuka had met Kumomaru very long ago - or more accurately, Mutobe Chihiro. It was also because Mutobe had been her father's subordinate in his past life, belonging to the Imperial Household Agency Lingering Spirit Division. When her father had still been alive, she had met him on several occasions.

They weren't particularly close, and they hadn't had any interaction other than greeting each other. Though she managed to remember his appearance and name, her father had a great number of subordinates and colleagues. Mutobe was one of them, and that was all she knew.

But from Mutobe's point of view, Suzuka was his boss's daughter. Hence it seemed that he remembered Suzuka very clearly.

Maybe because of that, Kumomaru had answered Suzuka's questions before.

It was not long after Suzuka had just returned to the Onmyou Agency. It had been a coincidental occasion when the two of them were alone, and Suzuka, whose suspicions had grown upon Takiko's repeated visits to the research lab, had asked Kumomaru, "What are you planning?"

"What do you mean?"

"What else could there be. I'm talking about that Takiko; she's your master, right? Why do you let her come to me, an 'enemy', unguarded? What's your goal?"

"......She's not unguarded. I'm by my master's side."

"That's not what I meant! I mean it's very strange that she's coming to me in the first place!"

It was a span of time when she was fearful of falling under her father's control again. Suzuka was practically venting her stress and anger on someone, but Kumomaru didn't show her any hostility.

In addition, he had said with an attitude that could be called cordial:

"I'm allowing my master to become friendly with you because it was her wish. But - Chief Dairenji actively recommended this to put a kind of restraint on you."

Maybe because he hadn't changed his habits from his past life, Kumomaru sometimes called Yashamaru by his title when he had been alive. "Hah? What?" He explained, "Similar to second-class magic", to Suzuka as she ground her teeth.

"If you become close to my master, you'll become unable to betray us again. That's what this is, simply put."

In other words, Yashamaru had let his master come to Suzuka expecting that she would 'gain feelings' for Takiko. Suzuka felt more dumbfounded than angry when she heard this.

Just like Amami and the others had worried, Yashamaru had very quickly seen that Suzuka wasn't obediently surrendering when she had given up. Well, that was certainly natural. Just like she had insisted to Amami, since Suzuka's goal was exposed, any degree of spying would be a victory. He had used Takiko to try taming Suzuka's resolve. There ought to be a limit to looking down on people.

However......

"It's effective. For sure. Maybe you believe in your mind that your determination won't be shaken by that. But this taming method will bind your 'heart'. If your mind understands, then the effects might be kept to a minimum, but they won't be zero. The only ones who can do that are people who were like that from the beginning or people who underwent considerable training. Also, no matter how small the effects are, they'll gradually expand and accumulate as time is spent."

At the start, maybe it was a slight change. A relationship where they had never spoken suddenly turned into one where they were greeting each other. Originally she would only say scathing words, but at some point it became a feeling of banter. Her anger had become smiles due to something, and her barrier of disinterest had crumbled gradually bit by bit in the face of their daily interactions. Next, bits of confusion would slip into her originally unshakeable resolve, connect with her clouded judgment, and would later develop into compromise.

Also, those effects were further strengthened on Suzuka, who was in a state of genuine imprisonment. When she was in an environment where she was always under a strong mental burden, it was no easy feat to keep treating someone completely emotionlessly when they showed her goodwill. At least it couldn't be achieved by willpower alone.

People were beings that lived by interacting with others. 'Building a relationship' was a phenomenon rooted in this nature.

"......What the hell. Disgusting. ......Also, even if you have that kind of goal, is it fine to expose it to the target?"

"It doesn't matter. The Chief doesn't care even if I tell you. Also, even if the target knows about these second-class methods, they'll still be effective over time. Didn't I say? 'Emotions' are things that bind the 'heart' rather than the 'mind'."

Though Kumomaru spoke casually, Suzuka's hairs suddenly bristled as she listened. She had an illusion as if they were dissecting the human mind as they chatted.

That was the terror of the father that Suzuka knew. An 'inhuman' presence existing deep within Dairenji Shidou. Back then, Suzuka had clearly understood that the man Mutobe possessed the same kind of terror as her father.

But--

"Also...... I don't think this is bad, even if it's the Chief's second-class magic. No matter what form it is, my master will be able to make a friend - that's something to be happy about."

When he murmured this, Kumomaru let her catch a glimpse of something that her father didn't have - a glimpse of 'emotion'. In any case, she had started viewing Kumomaru as 'alright' since that conversation between them.

"......Suzuka? Are you not going to drink any?"

"Huh? Ah......"

Suzuka was summoned back from her recollections by Takiko's voice, and reached her hand to the cup on the table. She held the cup with both hands and took a sip, still sitting cross-legged. Maybe she was still haunted by lack of sleep, but she felt like her mind was still fuzzy.

When she had made the decision to return to the Onmyou Agency, she had been scared inside about how she would be treated.

But she had never thought she would be placed in such a padded, gentle environment. Maybe it was certainly relaxed, but she couldn't successfully hold herself firm because the outside pressure was weak.

Then, maybe concerned about Suzuka's appearance, Takiko showed a slight look of worry.

"Are you busy with work?"

"Hah? ......Ah, yes. There's a lot I have to do."

After replying with that, Suzuka thought of something again and made an unpleasant face.

"Hey, though I'm sorry for what I said before, could you let me use the internet once in a while? It's so inconvenient."

"S-Sorry...... But, Suzuka, you're an extremely confidential case right now, so......"

"......So you can't permit it for safety reasons? Honestly."

Suzuka drank her black tea, still wearing a displeased look.

Suzuka was currently being directly entrusted with certain research by Chief Kurahashi. Simply put, it was 'soul magic'. Suzuka had only been punished because she had ventured into this realm, but once she joined their side, he immediately and secretly appointed her to this research. That was one reason you could call Kurahashi quite thick-skinned.

There were many magics classified as forbidden under current Onmyou law. But even among those, magic related to souls was different from other forbidden magic. It was especially regulated and people using it would be severely punished. To all practitioners, it was even more taboo than being simply illegal.

One reason was that it would be a problem from an ethical standpoint.

And another more concrete reason was that in the past, Tsuchimikado Yakou had failed at soul magic, and a great spiritual disaster had happened in Tokyo because of it - at least that was commonly believed. In other words, the danger level was different from normal forbidden magic.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 567